Your Guide to Russian Twists

It sounds like some kind of crazy dance move, but the Russian twist is actually a useful core exercise that challenges more than just your abs. It’s a good staple for accessory work and useful to shake up your normal routine of situps and leg lifts, which only work your abs on a vertical plane and can get *yawn* boring.

Plus, if anyone who has a six-pack can do Russian twists, you should be able to do them too!

Russian twists for a strong core

Russian twists work your abdominal muscles and obliques, but also your hip flexors, shoulders, and upper back. They strengthen rotational movement which translates to a ton of sports like baseball, football, tennis, martial arts, and hockey. 

They count toward basically anything that requires you to keep your core stable while twisting (think golfing, paddling a kayak, or punching your younger brother).

Check out our guide below and learn how to do Russian twists with good form so you can get that much closer to the abs of your dreams.

Core anatomy refresher

How to do a Russian twist

Points of performance 

Setup

Grab a yoga mat or something to cushion your tailbone. Sit on it with your knees bent and your feet on the floor to start. Lean back so your torso is at a 45 degree angle with the floor. Bring your hands to your chest so only your butt and feet are touching the floor. 

Brace & Twist
With your back straight (don’t slouch or round), brace your core and rotate your upper body, alternating to the left and right. 

Don’t just move your arms from side to side. The goal is to actually rotate your whole torso in each direction. It helps to let your gaze follow your hands instead of looking forward. Your upper body and torso will turn in the direction your eyes go.

Keep your knees together to activate your lower core. Crossing them might make it easier for beginners, but don’t cross them if you don’t have to.

Coach’s Tip: Don’t cheat by shortening the movement! Go for full reach every rep by trying to touch the floor on each side.

Make it harder

Elevate Your Feet

Challenge your balance and force your stabilizing muscles to work harder by lifting your feet a few inches off the ground. Once you can do this, you should elevate your feet every time. (Check out the Mason twist below to make this even nastier.)

Add Weight

What’s the best way to make something harder? Add resistance. Hold a plate, dumbbell, kettlebell, medicine ball, or jug of water in both hands over your chest and twist with the weight. Aim to get the weight to tap the floor on each side. 

Try the Wood Chopper

Another way to add weight to a rotational movement is the wood chopper. Instead of sitting, you’ll do this one standing using a band or cable machine for resistance. Check out Scott Herman’s how-to for the wood chopper here.

Do the Mason Twist

We’ve heard this variation called a few different things, but the source of all sources (Wikipedia) calls it the Mason twist. If Russian twists just aren’t hard enough, the Mason twist is a more advanced version. Setup is the same, but instead of bending your knees, hold your legs straight up in the air like a V-up. Give this one a try if you’re looking to master that gymnastic L-sit hold. Point your toes!

Russian twists & back pain

A pervasive question across fitness channels: are Russian twists bad for your back? 

You may have heard some trainers spout that Russian twists hurt your spine, but they’re probably saying that to get clicks and views. 

The short answer is no—in the same way deadlifts aren’t bad for your back if you do them properly.

Sure, if you’re doing them wrong or with sloppy form, any core movement can aggravate existing sciatica or disc issues. Back pain from herniated or bulging discs (swelling of the fluid between your spinal bones) can come up when the discs inflate and hit your nerves. You want to avoid adding pressure to those already strained discs.

The feel-elevated half situp position of the Russian twist in which your body makes a V-shape can put pressure on your spine, but it shouldn’t hurt. If you’re having back pain issues, chat with your physical therapist so they can give you individualized modifications for oblique twisting movements.

Having a strong core is actually good for your back, because it helps stabilize your spine. If you have a healthy spine, you should be able to do Russian twists pain-free.

Related articles